Vienna Opera Ball 2026 Honors Armani’s Legacy with a Dazzling Tribute
The 68th Vienna Opera Ball will take place on February 12, with a live broadcast on ORF 2. This year's event features a striking motif: a painting by the late Austrian artist Arnulf Rainer, titled Black Velvet, Red Silk. Organisers have also revealed a star-studded programme and a special tribute to the late fashion icon Giorgio Armani.
Opera Director Bogdan Roščić and Ballet Director Alessandra Ferri unveiled the programme at a formal media preview. Unlike standard press conferences, the event showcased the elegance of the ball, including an impromptu waltz by the debutante couple. The young woman wore the traditional Swarovski diadem, while her partner sported a matching swan-shaped brooch.
The musical lineup includes pieces from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, Dmitri Shostakovich's Suite for Variety Orchestra, and Giuseppe Verdi's La Traviata. South African soprano Pretty Yende and French tenor Benjamin Bernheim will perform as guest artists. This year's costumes for the Vienna State Ballet dancers hold special significance. Designed by Giorgio Armani, they were his final creations, completed just before his death on the day of the first fitting. The Opera Ball has also earned certification as a 'Green Event' under Austria's environmental standards.
The 2026 Vienna Opera Ball blends tradition with contemporary flair. From Armani's last designs to a sustainability certification, the event promises both cultural richness and modern responsibility. Audiences can watch the festivities live on ORF 2 when the ball opens on February 12.
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